5 Reasons you SHOULDN'T Back Odalin

Gamefound Link - gamefound.com/en/projects/dra...
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Timestamps
00:00 The Premise of this series
01:23 What’s exciting
03:30 5 Reasons you shouldn’t back Odalin
04:00 5 - Dragori
10:03 4 - Balance
13:20 3 - Upkeep
17:50 2 - Dungeons
22:45 1 - I’m not telling unless you subscribe to me oh god please please oh god!
28:33 Where are you at?
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[@benh4390]

I am envious of both your moustache and ability to resist crowdfunding

[@jerrodhuber8119]

This was one of my Top 3 most anticipated games this year, and boy what a letdown the campaign has been. No rulebook, sparse gameplay, tons of typos all over the campaign on launch, text was copy pasted and never updated on launch, high price point, high shipping, act 1/2 split, the final boss of the campaign being a 24hr bonus or a PAID addition, making stretch goals out of things they've already marketed or advertised as being included, very predatory FOMO all throughout, and a little bit of a dismissive tone when people bring up questions. I'm sure the game will be good, maybe even great, but I've been very surprised and disappointed so far. I backed for the Abaddon bonus just in hopes but will probably cancel my pledge like I did with Grimcoven.

[@toddferrullo1871]

I did the same and will almost certainly drop my pledge for exactly all the reasons that you mentioned.

[@DukeJohnny]

I'm 50/50 at this point because I'd be a returning backer, so getting the hell drake for free as well. But now I'm thinking that they might give the dragon for free BUT it'd be shipped separately, for which there'd be additional cost. I wonder what's gonna happen if by the end of that campaign the number of backers will drop significantly (e.g. stretch goal locking?)

[@Bandibo87]

I am not understand, why people are so hostile with Grimcoven. As I see, this game has some similar problems, but even lot more concerns, as it is in the video and in your problem, but you still stick to this project.

[@BrockliDawkins]

I passed on Grimcoven, Odalin, and Blood...even though I want all the minis from each game. But...FOMO will not have me this round!!

[@toddcontino7271]

This is literally the reason I backed ALL OF THEM 😅 EFF!! Grimcoven will probably only be played on easy mode for quick bouts with new players because the theme is very attractive. Minis worth it if o can get a handful of plays under it. Blood, I’ve always wanted a LMS game and this is it. Theme is 110% my jam. I will play it even if it’s not my favorite game. Odalin definitely brings interest with mechanics but I’ll be mainly playing one shots with it so seems like a little bit of a waste buying all the narrative without really playing that. Maybe I will if the one shots strike a chord with my group.

[@bradyvelvet9432]

Fomo is a terrible thing! It must be resisted !

[@BrockliDawkins]

@@toddcontino7271 It's a-ok to let the FOMO consume you every now and again. You laid out some solid logic to justify the investments too. But I know July is about to test my mettle again.

[@relint12]

The minis alone are super tempting. They fill the Demon / Devil archetype where Dragori campaigns previously focused on Dragon / Aberration types. I’m looking forward to see if they cross them over into a Tanares expansion at some point in the future.

[@john9801]

I think the minis in Blood are the most interesting ones. But of those 3 I'm only backing Odalin. Grimcoven and Blood did not appeal to me gameplay wise.

[@colehaas7178]

11:33 The tug of war visualization was perfect. This is why you are my favorite content creator. How many creators would go this far for a bit? Thank you. I needed that laugh.

[@corenthian9426]

Omg I missed this, thank you

[@timf7354]

😂 I'm surprised he could still talk with all that back and forth going on.

[@elijahedmondson6270]

I'm super interested in Odalin. BUT! Tanares was my "this is your 1 big campaign game" to myself. And I've yet to put it on the table. So, it's NOdalin for me currently.

[@robotradar]

I feel you. I have the same thing with Kimgdoms Forlorn. I will wait how Kingdoms Forlorn fares on my gaming schedule before I get invested in another big game. I feel like I will have enough to play for the next 5-8 years.

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

"NOdalin" is very good

[@flashburn2012]

Their 2 year "no reprint" pledge doesn't actually start until delivery. Oh, and people are totally missing out on Oathsworn. Easily the best campaign game experience I've ever had.

[@Christheghostbuster]

For me it’s “are you buying this just for the elephant” 😅

[@bradyvelvet9432]

I know this might be an unpopular opinion but the anthros are actually a mild turn off for me.

[@DukeJohnny]

I prefer the tiger character - Marukesh, but damn...

[@adamgardner2244]

lol love it. Me too.

[@luisecmf]

Another big reason - The main campaign boss (Abbadon) is actually not in the core box, its being sold as an Add-on. Their "solution" is to either buy the addon with extra shipping or use another mini as an stand-in. Extremely predatory decision that no one should ever reward them for it.

[@AlBundy4td]

Believe it’s an act 2 boss but unsure if he appears in act 1

[@luisecmf]

@@AlBundy4td It does appear in Act 1 and its the final boss in Act 2.Its literally the main bad guy of the campaign and its not part of the core box, its sold as an add-on

[@toddferrullo1871]

What is even worse is that they are charging additional shipping for it, even if it was a free 24 hour "gift"

[@Solcoyote]

They really should put a smaller version or standee version in the core box.

[@FrightfulFailures]

I guess you could say the main boss is an... Addonadon.

[@bradyvelvet9432]

I think they should’ve included a choice between merging with a demon or an Angel. Give players a choice which path to choose. Dark or Light. Also I’m not big on anthropomorphic heroes (I know I know, an unpopular opinion) Otherwise I might be more interested in this game.

[@raceofrobots9152]

Somebody get this girl on the Dragori payroll!

[@apokai]

Thanks for the reasons! The 96$ USD (so, 130CAD) for shipping is hurting really bad and is my reason #1-ish. It's a bit frustrating because I feel everyone is taking their cut ( shipping, taxes, imports, etc.). That's about 1/3 of the value of this game. This is insane. So much work put into the game and everybody else (not related to the game conception) ) is getting some cuts here.

[@pandacozumelable]

For México Is 2/3 of the value, Full pledge Is $299 USD and shipping Is $199 USD...

[@patrickblue7024]

I love seeing comments in campaign pages like "we promise not to reprint this for X years!" - that tells me I can pass this round. If the game is any good, I'll have another opportunity after I've played through some of the lingering campaign games in my closet. It's ANTIFOMO!

[@pandacozumelable]

What is FOMO? another user also mentioned it, thanks

[@patrickblue7024]

Fear of missing out. It can be a motivating factor for those who participate in crowdfunding projects (among other things).

[@pandacozumelable]

@@patrickblue7024 I see, is exactly how I feel, since the only way to purchase it is by their crowd funding, but this time thought they offer stretch pays, the shipping cost to Mexico is too high and they estimated delivery is July 2025, surely there will be delays so I am guessing about December 2025 I will have my pledge in my hands, that is too much (year and a half) and last time they kept adding stuff during pledge manager, things that supposed not be game changing but never the less, we just kept paying for add ons. I feel bad as return backer to miss the "gifts" they promised but I will rather invest in other games like the new D&D books. Regards

[@arthurdent9281]

​@@pandacozumelableThe shipping costs to Mexico are completely insane, so I think you're absolutely right to pass on it. Someone needs to get shipping under control. There's no good reason it should be that expensive.

[@Tharukan]

Quite positive the "No reprint" in two years isn't really a FOMO-tactic but is there to ease previous backers frustrations due to the trainwreck that was the release of Tanares Adventures... spanning over 4 campaigns, all the while delivering a little bit while releasing more and overhauling what was already released until it was clear early adopters got the worst and most annoying deal and should have waited for the Ultimate Edition when Dragori finally had their own product line kinda figured out. This is still my main reason not to back this, though, so it does not really work.

[@thegreenyamo1995]

Passed on Grimcoven, Blood and Odalin. Inevitable re-prints if the game is successful seems to be the new trend these days with Gamefound and Dragori. Frustrated with this being an original backer of both Tanares, Nemesis and Tainted Grail. Honestly, havent played any if these due to my backlog. Like others, celebrating having anti-fomo, 😂

[@polfig7558]

Tanares is exactly why I'm not backing this. I just got it and had no chance to get it to the table. Not getting another one till I'm at least few missions into the campaign.

[@karaso0]

I'm in the exact same boat. Waiting on my update for Tanares to arrive so I'm definitely not at all interested in Odalin.

[@martinm.292]

I had supported it until this morning... all in, of course. But then I watched the gameplay video and I honestly don't think the rules are super great... more like okay. I also had the following negative points: - Dungeons are too small for me - Enemy variety is far too little (sure, great miniatures... but with the variety of enemies it quickly becomes monotonous) - Shipping costs (to Germany) are too high for me, and there's also VAT on top of that And: I haven't even unpacked Tanaris yet :D All of this ultimately led me to cancel my pledge (despite stretch pay). Now that it's cancelled and I won't get the day 1 miniature with it, I'm not going to get weak anymore. Maybe in a few years with a reprint... with more addons :-P

[@arthurdent9281]

If, as they say, they won't be reprinting for at least 2 years after delivery, there will likely be 10 other dungeon crawlers that come out in the meantime that may be better than this. I always have to remind myself that there will always be other games, and if I simply must have something, I can almost always get it second-hand.

[@seansmith2650]

Why dont they have any pictures of what the game even looks like on the table

[@XileboW]

Reason 6: Tanares has not been delivered to your door yet 😢

[@Borgadzim]

... but you already received a tracking, and cannot wait :D

[@xtrem5428]

Original Tanares, or Ultimate Tanares? If the former, then you're extremely late.

[@Borgadzim]

@@xtrem5428 Ultimate ofc

[@azazelph39]

Mine is still the boardgames from the rpg campaign, which was supposed to ship with TA from the second campaign. By having so many SKU combinations, they botched shipping both in cost and in mistakes… I got my core box 4mos after TA box, and am still missing boxes because they didnt print enough, apparently.

[@toddcontino7271]

Shatterpoint was my first experience with the tug of war mechanic and I FRICKIN LOVE IT. It’s very fun. You can’t by at do whatever is strongest all the time. You actually have to weigh tactics.

[@robotradar]

I get your point concerning campaign games. I had to free myself of finishing the games when they feel like obligations, especially to "allow" myself the next or another one. "Finishing" to me is now not completing the game per se but getting closure for myself when I tell myself: I am done with this game now at some point, when it just does not feel like fun anymore.

[@patrickblue7024]

I think that is a really good point. We tend to do this with all sorts of things - books, TV or comic series, movies. We often feel we have to get to the end because we've already invested our time and/or money in it. Recognizing when something is no longer worth our time and allowing ourselves to put it aside lets us enjoy our luxury time more.

[@jksalamon]

Very cool, I need more of such videos. Considering i am getting into rpg kind of board games, also very keen on Tales from Red Dragon Inn and Agemonia. Any videos for them

[@blighboy1]

"are you buying a game to play, or because you don't know how the stock market works" absolutely brutal, no prisoners taken.

[@xtrem5428]

I think the "no reprint" thing is specified because of Tanares that got its "Ultimate Tanares" edition very quickly and fans might be scared it may happen again and would wait for the "final version" instead.

[@Luke_L]

Like many, I’m still waiting on Tanares stuff. And I’m backing off campaign games these days because my queue is so long. I have enough to keep me busy to wait for a 1.5/Ultimate version if the game turns out to be amazing.

[@Thomasgone224]

I still get sucked into crowd funding, but I definitely just go for the cheap basegame version now. If I don't absolutely love the game, I didn't invest a ton of money. If I absolutely love it, I can pick up expansions and other add ons in a reprint. I can get 4 different base games for the price of an all in.

[@Mrfinch9999]

Only more massive darkness 2 content will ever tempt me again lol.

[@xSean0607]

I'm here for this even though I'm already not backing. I have already too many games

[@adamgardner2244]

I have only played a couple Zombicides and I love the simplistic easy game play. I look for that in other dungeon crawls. I have Oathsworn and Chronicles of Drunagor and other crawlers but I have not played them though. I'm not a fan of too much fiddley management and tokens everywhere in a game. I'm looking for a more Zombicide/Massive Darkness type simplicity in games.

[@morgaknightgames]

I backed day one, but already cancelled my pledge. I could not get behind the play style. It turns out that I was more excited about the theming and middle Eastern setting than I was about the game itself. I'll look into an RPG setting instead. I did back Grimcoven, and am backing Blood - both of which I'm genuinely excited about. I've only backed 3 board games this year so far, and an expansion for a game I already love, so I'm doing pretty darn good with my shelf control.

[@Malgamus]

Reason X: No standee version(yet at least)

[@protomundi]

Thanks for saving money again. The theme sold me and my balance is fine enough the be able backing a few games but I rather buy Tanares which is already out and has reviews.

[@luenarturoho1385]

Hello can u please do a blood video. Like to know ur opinion and why not to back

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

Doesn't look like it will cross 1 million, but I read every rulebook of every single crowdfunding game in my Monday show where I cover things in their last week of funding so you can look for it there when it gets to the final week :)

[@luenarturoho1385]

@@RoomandBoardReviews thnks i really dont lose any of you videos. its so helpfull to know an objective opinion

[@skancijan]

Just looked at all-in price was only reason i needed, 450$ with shipping and VAT, thats just to much for single game.

[@adamgardner2244]

You buy all in on every game you get?

[@Carlos52024]

Oathsworn hype has come and gone (although I still hope to play one day) but Arydia has lived rent free in my head since the campaign ended!

[@EfrainRiveraJunior]

What is Odalin?

[@OPMDK]

With Grimcoven, Odalin, and Blood are we seeing a nearing towards peak marketing in the BG industry?

[@DukeJohnny]

Nemesis Retaliation totalled way over 20M soo...

[@AmstradHero]

I pretty much agree with all your points, but the one about the timing on a reprint you are getting it slightly wrong - you're saying that they won't do a reprint for 2 years from now. Their promise is that they won't do a reprint for at least two years *after delivery*. So that means if you don't get this now, people aren't getting it until at least 2027, if not later. This doesn't diminish the FOMO factor of the "no reprints forr X years", or the near certainty that there will be a 1.5/2.0 version when said reprint (and inevitable expansion/additional content) occurs, but it does mean you are being accidentally misleading in your representation of their no reprint policy. Yes, the splash page should be clearer, but your claim here that they're immediately going to do the reprint after it arrives at people's doorsteps is incorrect.

[@laniston]

I suppose if you knew you could sell a copy for double the price, you could just buy 2 copies, sell one, and consider the 2nd copy you keep as being basically free. But in reality i think selling a game for twice its cost would be highly unlikely. Currently im backing Odalin but also Hexplore It and likely one of those will have to go

[@arthurdent9281]

With current shipping costs, I can't imagine selling for anything close to double. Used to be much easier pre-covid.

[@siposbalint2000]

The crowdfunding exclusive argument when they want to make you back these games is so weird to me. If a game is good and people want to play it, I want as many people as possible to be able to experience it. A character or some small expansion which are nowhere near essential is fine, but putting the whole game behind the crowdfunding gates just screams that your game is not as good to hit retail. Many big KS games hit retail and manage to sell at least 1-2 print runs.

[@AlBundy4td]

A lot don’t - Primal and Euthia are examples of these. Both are great games.

[@br1ns4n]

11:30 is wild

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

A wet and wild tug of war!!

[@xtrem5428]

I'll add one more point that weights heavily for me: Dragori's customer service is abysmal. I had some damaged cards, and they sent me the wrong replacements, twice, and still haven't sent me the right one. They shipped sleeves that were too small for one of their card size and flat out refused to replace them. Hell, in their Ultimate Tanares campaign, they directly told people to re-buy the entire sleeve pack if they wanted the right sleeves. This is sad because Tanares is an absolutely amazing game, but even if Odalin is great too, I have lowered chances of getting the game in good condition as promised.

[@PiterMorbid]

About the two years no reprint and your affirmation that two years could be the dev cycle alway: actually it's two years after the game has been delivered so I don't think that point of yours is correct because if they take longer to develop, it will take longer for the two years to pass

[@RoomandBoardReviews]

That would make a difference for sure, but I also think that is probably planned anyway, and is only intended to drive the fomo, where if it's a good game it will still be good in two years time

[@myleelorna6368]

O da leen?

[@RopeBunny.]

Successfully convinced

[@AlBundy4td]

It’s two years from this campaign delivery - so 2028 is more likely reprint if you want to wait.

[@mel_from_hell]

As an all-in backer, I always come here and listen to your 5 reasons, class series, keep rolling them mate!

[@Ben-qy1sq]

Maybe im being cynical but these dungeon crawl, greek mythos Dantes inferno, sexy god, big sword, dungeon crawlers are really starting to look the same. I want to see a dungeon crawler where one 3D laser printer goes up against another, and then through more and more elaborate rounds, we finally crown the greatest all time 3D printer. I also want a game box big enough to hold the minatures, me, my loved ones and my house. I think we need bigger, better and more 3D things. I need minatures more imposing than the average human being. Just give me more. Down with the humble standee and some cards. I want to spend some cold hard cash, give me that liquid gold plastic!! 😎😁

[@jasons.9389]

Just not interested in teaming up to with a demon.

[@adamnikles7335]

Looks cool but no, not for me. Lack of a rulebook and the fact that Isofarian Guard should be arriving in the next two months are enough reasons for me lol

[@Tylers_Dad]

Misanthrope? I always saw you more as a Denisovan.

[@thinhman2010]

I was very tempted to get this game... Then I looked at all the games I've backed this year alone... And I was quickly snapped back to reality. Hard pass on this one. Hard pass on every crowdfunding game for the rest of the year.

[@thinhman2010]

Also, the whole no reprints for 2 years really irks me. Just mentioning that sounds like they are almost guarenteed to re-print after the 2 year period. Like you said, it'll probably be better with erratas and QoL upgrades.

[@corenthian9426]

The FOMO is real on this one. Let’s see if you can convince me otherwise

[@beerman2000]

Lucky for me demon possession is a non-starter as far as I'm concerned. Love the company, the gameplay looks sweet, and campaign games are my jam. The theme makes it a sure NO for me.

[@sagittariusa9012]

I backed this project because there are a lot of things i like. But i also see a big issue with the chaos/order balance track. Every dead enemy and every card you play affect the balance. This sounds like you are most of the time adjusting the balance track than playing the game.

[@Galahad7777777]

In this game you make a pact with a demon, so from that reason only, I am not going to back this game.

[@gregorycook3550]

An easy pass -- even before this video -- and I am grateful that now I have more reasons why I chose to keep on moving in the opposite direction.